Benson is full of students getting their Chick-fil-A fix, the Quad is filled with spikeball games and the dreaded 8:00 a.m. classes have begun. But, that also means fall sports are in full swing here in Deactown, and the Demon Deacons women’s volleyball team just finished their opening weekend of matches.
The Varsity Arena inside Reynolds Gymnasium hosted the West Virginia Mountaineers, Hofstra Pride and Navy Midshipmen for this past weekend’s Wake Forest Invitational.
Wake Forest’s first match was against Hofstra. With an impressive student showing and the DJ jamming, the Varsity Arena was LOUD.
However, the start of this year’s campaign did not end as the Demons Deacons would have hoped. They did strike first with a kill from right-side hitter Olivia Murphy, but things would quickly devolved from there. The Pride would be the first to notch 20 points in all three matches, en route to a 3-0 takedown of the hosting Demon Deacons.
Murphy was a standout in her first appearance since 2022. The redshirt sophomore not only led the team in attacks, but her attacks looked as if they were shot out of a gun, making them impressively difficult to dig. Additionally, freshmen Dhru Lalaji and Becca Bellows got substantial playing time. Bellows led the team with 17 assists.
Despite the loss to their New York foe, the Demon Deacons would have a chance to get rolling the following evening against West Virginia. When the Mountaineers made the trek from Morgantown to Winston-Salem, they brought the passion of the Mountain State with them, as well. It was another packed night, but instead of gold and black, it was blue and gold filling the stands.
Wake Forest came out stumbling to a quick 0-3 start, but would settle in and control the first set, winning 25-15. The Mountaineers took good notes and mirrored the result, taking set two 25-15. The Deacs took care of business in the third set, setting up an all-important fourth.
The Mountaineers were not ready to admit defeat yet, as they would win a thrilling set that featured 28 lead changes. In the intermission between the fourth and fifth sets, there was an epic showdown…a cheering showdown. The Mountaineers in attendance performed their iconic “Let’s go…Mountaineers!” chant while the Demon Deacons in attendance attempted to rival it with “Wake…Forest.”
Despite their efforts, the Demon Deacons were no match for West Virginia in this matchup. We then head to the fifth, first to 15, set for all the marbles. The Deacs took control early and did not relent, winning the set 15-7 and the match 3 games to 2. Wake had not beaten West Virginia since 2010. Graduate transfer Laila Ricks made her first start for Wake Forest and finished with a team-high 13 kills. She also tacked on 6 blocks. Rihan Baker led the Demon Deacons with 23 assists and 5 service aces. Her 23 assists put her in illustrious company, joining the 1,500 assist club. Bellows was called upon again and showed up, finishing with 19 assists and 2 service aces.
On Sunday, Wake Forest battled and sank the Navy Midshipmen. It was another good crowd, coupled with an enthusiastic presence from the pep band, which meant yet another lively atmosphere in Varsity Arena. The marching band serenaded those in attendance with Wake Forest’s fight song and rained jeers toward the serving Midshipmen.
It was all Wake Forest early and often, as they cruised through the first two sets. However, Navy attempted to correct the course in set three, but the Demon Deacons finished the 3-0 sweep in a thrilling 25-23 set victory. The Deacs were headlined by a three-headed monster of Ricks, Dior Charles and Sahara Maruska, who all each had 8 kills. Emma Ferrell had 13 digs, and Bellows continued her great start with 18 assists.
After a strong opening weekend, Wake Forest will travel to the Iowa State Invitational and take on the Hawkeyes on Friday, Sept. 6. On Saturday, they’ll face Toledo, and to cap off what will be a successful weekend, the Demon Deacons will play Illinois on Sunday.
